Roto flash neon sign



Jan. 10, 1939. J. B. PALERMO 2,143,206

'ROTO FLA SH NEON SIGN Filed Feb. 15, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l uvscmnnorv El 58 O 55 Q 50 Q 54 QR LL47 H I I I .32: C Z,

Zhwentor JOHN 5 PAL EEMO (Ittorneg Jan. 10, 1939; J. BJPALERMO 2,1433% ROTO SLASH "EOESIGN Filed Feb. 15, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 2 a/Of/N 5. PALE/3M Jan; 1%, 193%.

.1. B. PALERMO ROTO FLASH NEON SIGN Filed Feb. 15, 1957 3 Sheets-Shae}. 3

3nnentor JOHN 5 PflL ERMO (Ittomeg Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE ROTO FLASH NEON SIGN John B. Palermo, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application February 15, 1937, Serial No. 125,750

sign, and one of its objects is to provide means for producing an attention arresting intermittent illumination, in successive stages, and to provide non-arcing means for controlling this intermittent illumination.

A further object of the invention is to provide a main advertising sign consisting of a luminous tube and an independent motion device consisting of separate luminous tubes of different color characteristics when energizedarranged behind each other, and non-arcing means for controlling the flow of electrical current to each of the luminous tubes, so that single illumination, then duplex illumination, and finally illumination of the sign tube is obtained in succession, and the effect produced upon a passerby is captivating and attention holding.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic circuit controller for the different luminous tubes, consisting of tiltable mercury contacts and a motor rotated shaft having radial arms so arranged that the contacts are successively rocked in different timing orders, and a silent operation obtained, without dangerous arcing, and with mechanism of relatively low cost and relatively high efficiency.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in certain new and useful constructions and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following specification and fully illustrated in the drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a plan view.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the motor and disc, showing the rocker shaft in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail side View, partly in section, of one of the mercury switches.

Fig. i is a detail cross sectional view of a rocker shaft.

Fig. 5 is another similar view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the luminous rotating tubings.

Fig. '7 is a front view of an extra luminous sign.

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the collector rings.

Fig. 9 is a front view of a sign, having transparent letters.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the complete sign tubing circuit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 5 designates a base, which is equipped with a stand ard 6 and an electrical motor i, spaced from the standard. The electrical motor is provided with a reduction gearing contained in the housin 8, which is preferably of the worm type, and a secondary shaft 9 extends from this housing and is coupled to the shaft of the spur gear it, which is arranged to rotate close to the upper end of the standard 5. The shaft H of the spur gear H} extends through the upper end of the standard and carries the circular disc I2, which is constructed of fibre or other suitable insulating material, or made of metal, with its outer surface well insulated.

The spur gear iii engages another spur gear E3, which is mounted on the shaft i4, one end of which has a bearing in the standard and the other end of which has a bearing in the arm iii of the frame i6, which is mounted on the base. This shaft is provided with a gear worm H which engages the worm gear l8, mounted on the stub shaft it carried by the frame It. This worm gear i8 is provided with an eccentric bearing pin or screw Zfi, which is engaged by the end of the pawl bar or rod 2i. This pawl bar or arm is provided on its opposite end with a lateral pawl pin 22, which is designed to successively engage the radial curved arms of the ratchet wheel 23, which is mounted on the end, of the horizontal shaft 2%, which works in the frame 25. shown, with four radial arms 23a, each one of which is formed with a concave face to receive the pawl pin, as shown, the reverse edge or face of the pawl engaged ratchet arm or tooth being rounded to permit the pawl to slide readily thereon.

A disc 26 is carried by the shaft 24 and serves to prevent lateral displacement of the pawl pin 22 from the working edge surfaces of the ratchet wheel. The shaft 24 is provided with a single 5 pin 21, which extends on opposite sides of the shaft to provide radial arms 21a and El?) of equal length. These arms are arranged to engage the carrier plate 28, which is pivoted at 29 on a cross shaft 50, mounted on the frame 25. carrier plate is provided with a mercury electrical switch ill, which is in the form of a glass tube or other container, having a pointed terminal 32 which extends through a bracket arm 33 on the end of the plate 28, and having a similar ,1

terminal 34 which engages the bracket arm 35 of the other end of the carrier plate 23. This switch also includes the electrical terminals 35 and 3?, which are sealed in the container 35a of the switch, and insulated from each other. Electrical contact is made and broken between these terminals by means of the charge 35 of liquid metal mercury; When the shaft 26 is rotated the arms 27a and 27b of the cross pin 21 will successively engage the underside of the This ratchet wheel is provided, as s The carrier plate 28 and rock this plate against the tensional pull of the coil spring 40, which is connected to the end of the plate 28'at its upper end and to the base at its lower end. When the engaged end of the carrier plate is lifted by the action of the pin arms 21a and 211), the opposite end of the plate, on which the terminals 36 and 3? are supported will be lowered and the mercury will flow against these contacts, thus establishing electrical contact between the same.

On the cross shaft 3!] another carrier plate H is mounted by the bearing lugs 42, and this plate is engaged by pins: 43 and M of the shaft 2e, and these pins are disposed at right angles to each other. The pin M is disposed in the same radial relation to the shaft 24 as the pins 27a and 21b. The carrier plate 4! is equipped with a mercury switch 45, which is of the same construction as the mercury switch 3!, and which is mounted in a similar manner on the plate d l On the cross shaft 36 a third carrier plate 46 is supported for rocking action by its bearing lugs ll, and on this plate the mercury switch =18 is mounted, being retained in place thereon in the manner described with reference to the mercury switch M. The plate 46 is engaged by the single pin arm 49, mounted on the shaft M, and disposed at right angles to the. pins 21a and 21b, and projecting in an opposite direction from the shaft from that of the pin 43.

When the shaft 2t is rotated by the action of the pawl arm, in a step-by-step manner, the carrier plate 28 is first rocked by the action of the pin 21a against the same: the next action is to rock the second carrier plate 4! and to close the circuit through its enclosed switch terminals and this develops as a result of the engagement of the plate M by the pin 43. The shaft 24 is advanced a quarter of a revolution, as shown, each time the pawl pin makes a complete stroke, during the turning of the operating worm gear which actuates the pawl bar by means of its eccentric pin. After the second carrier plate and its mercury switch is rocked by the second quarter turning movement of the shaft 2 3, under the pawl action, then both carrier plates 28 and M will be rocked and the circuits through the mercury switches on these plates will be. closed. After these two plates and their mercury switches have been rocked simultaneously, the third carrier plate it is rocked by the action of the cross pin 3-9 against the same, so that the circuit through the enclosed terminals of its mercury switch G8 will be closed. The carrier plate M is returned to its initial inclined position by the action of the coil spring Ma, which is connected at its upper end to the short end of the carrier plate and at its lower end to the base; and the carrier plate 46 is engaged by a similar coil spring 48a, which is connected to the short end of the same at its upper end and to the base at its lower end. In each case the mercury switch returns to its initial position, so as to cause the mercury to flow away from the switch terminals it cooperates with to make and break the circuit.

Circuit is established through the mercury switch of the carrier plate 28 by means of the wires 28a and 2812, which are connected to the conductor strip 50, which is mounted on the block 55 of insulating material, and to the binding post E2, also secured to this block. Circuit is established through the mercury switch 45 by means of the wires 45a and 4%, which are wired to the conductor strip 50 and to the binding post 53, also fixed to the block I. The mercury switch 58 is provided with circuit wires 48a and 58b, which are connected to the strip 50 and to the binding post 54 on the block 5|.

The circular disc is provided with a metal plate 55 on which is mounted the luminous tubing 56, which is C-shaped. On this metal disc or plate 55 another C-shaped luminous tubing 51 is mounted. The inner ends of these C-shaped tubes are connected to each other by means of the conductor strip 58, and the outer end of the tubing 56 is provided with a terminal 60, and the outer end of the tubing 5'! is provided with a terminal 6|, both terminals being secured to lhe metal plate or disc 55, and insulated therefrom. In front of the rotating disc a third luminous tubing 62 is supported by the carrier wires or frame 63, and this tubing has its ends provided with terminals 64 and 65.

The disc 12 is equipped with three concentrically arranged metal conductor or collecting rings t6, 6'! and 68. The ring 66 is engaged by the brush 66a, the ring 61 is engaged by the brush tile, and the ring 68 is engaged by the brush 68a. All these brushes are insulated from each other and carried by the standard 55. The conductor strip 58 is connected in circuit with the ring 61; the terminal 68 is connected in circuit with the ring $8; and the terminal 6| of the tubing 51 is electrically connected to the ring SBl The brush 66a is connected to one terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer 66d, and the other terminal of this secondary coil is connected with the secondary coil of the transformer 86 The brush 67a, is connected in circuit with the secondary coil of the transformer 66d and with the transformer secondary coil of the transformer Mic. The brush 68a is connected in circuit with the secondary coil of the transformer 666. The secondary coils of the two transformers are connected in series. The wire EU is connected with the primary coils of the transformers 66d and 66c, and the terminal 660 of the primary coil of the transformer 66d is connected to the wire 6%, which is in circuit with the mercury switch 3!. The terminal 671) is connected in circuit with the. wire 61' to the mercury switch Q5, and the terminal 68b of the transformer 680 is connected in circuit with the mercury switch 48. The other terminal of this primary coil is connected with the wire 18', which is in circuit usrth the primary coils of the transformers 68d and The stationary luminous tubing 62 may be omitted or cut-out and a plate 69 arranged in front of the rotating disc l2. This plate is provided with transparent letters 'Hl, arranged to read across the C-shaped rotating luminous tubings 56 and 5 When these tubings are rotated and illuminated there will be produced a constantly changing illuminating effect, which is observable through the transparent letters, which will thus appear to be alive with changing luminous effects, and this action will be increased by the alternate illumination of these tubings, and simultaneous illumination thereof, in the different order of energization given.

Having described my invention I claim as new and patentable:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of movably mounted members, a fluid thereof, a shaft, means for rotating said shaft switch carried on each of said members and operative responsive to changes in the position thereof, a shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and a plurality of pins received within cavities or apertures formed in said shaft and extending from said shaft and adapted to control the positions of said movable members, the relative positions of said pins with respect to each other controlling the selective operation of said fluid switches.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of movably mounted members, a fluid switch carried on each of said members and operative responsive to changes in the position thereof, a shaft, means for rotating said shaft step-by-step through approximately onequarter of a complete revolution at each impulse, a plurality of pins mounted in cavities or apertures formed in said shaft and extending from said shaft and being rotated therewith and adapted to control the positions of said movable members, the relative positions of said pins with respect to each other controlling the selective operation of said fluid switches, and means for restoring said movable members to a predetermined normal position during intervals when the movable members are not subject to the action of said pins.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of movably mounted members, a fluid switch carried on each of said members and operative responsive to changes in the position step-by-step through a relatively large angle at each impulse, a plurality of pins mounted in cavities or apertures formed in said shaft and extending from said shaft and being rotated therewith and adapted to control the positions of said movable members, the relative angular positions of said pins around the axis of rotation of said shaft predeterminately controlling the selective operation of said fluid switches, and means for restoring said movable members to a predetermined normal position during intervals when the movable members are not subject to the action of said pins.

4. In an apparatus according to claim 3 in which said means for rotating said shaft stepby-step through a relatively large angle at each impulse includes a ratchet wheel carried upon and adapted to drive said shaft, said ratchet wheel having a maximum of four teeth, said teeth being uniformly spaced peripherally. of said wheel and being formed so that at least the hooking side of each tooth is recessed, whereby to receive and retain a pawl adapted to actuate said ratchet despite the relatively large angle through which said wheel is actuated at each impulse.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 in which said means for rotating said shaft step-by-step through a relatively large angle at each impulse includes a ratchet wheel carried upon and adapted to drive said shaft, said ratchet wheel having a maximum of four teeth, said teeth being uniformly spaced peripherally of said wheel and being formed so: that at least the hooking side of each of the teeth is concave, and means for actuating said shaft through said ratchet wheel, said last-mentioned means including an element adapted to be moved in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of said ratchet wheel and a pin laterally extending from said movable element and adapted to successively engage the concave side of successive teeth of said ratchet, the concave formation of said ratchet teeth permitting the rotation of said ratchet through a relatively large angle Without permitting said pin to become disengaged from said ratchet teeth.

JOHN B. PALERMO.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,115,206., January 10, 1959.

JOHN B. PALERMOo It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 29, for "ring 67" read ring 66; line 51, for "ring 68" read ring 67; line 52, for "ring 66" read ring 68; line 15, for "wire 70'" read wire 660; line 5b for "wire 70' read, wire 70,- line 60, for "letters 70" read letters 71; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office, v

Signed and sealed this 9th day of May, Ac DD 1959,

'Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

